Apparatus for handling sectional hot tops



Feb. 27, 1962 Filed March 1, 1960 E. MARBURG 3,022,551

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING SECTIONAL HOT TOPS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORAIlorn ey EDGAR MARBURG Feb. 27, 1962 E. MARBURG 3,022,551

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING SECTIONAL HOT TOPS Filed March 1, 1960 4Sheets-Sheet 2 l N VE N TOR EDGAR MARBURG Feb. 27, 1962 E. MARBURGAPPARATUS FOR HANDLING SECTIONAL HOT TOPS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March1, 1960 FIE- 12 IA! VE/V 70/? 506.4 I? MARBURG Attorney United StatesPatent 3,022,551 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING SECTIUNAL HOT TOPS EdgarMarburg, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to United States Steei Corporation, acorporation of New Jersey Filed Mar. 1, 196i), Ser. No. 12,22

13 Claims. (CI. 22-31) This invention relates to an apparatus forhandling sectional hot tops and more particularly for setting in ingotmolds sectional hot tops as shown in my co-pending applications SerialNo. 847,599, filed October 20, 1959, and Serial No. 849,337, filedOctober 28, 1959. Sectional hot tops are difficult to insert in ingotmolds since the slabs making up the hot tops are heavy and difficult tohandle. Normally a crew of three or more men is necessary to manuallyset the hot top into the ingot mold. The crew must work on top of theingot mold where they are exposed. to very hazardous conditions. Tominimize the hazards, expensiv safety devices such as platforms, laddersor hanging steps are used. Thus a great deal of labor and time isrequired to set the hot top.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide apparatus formechanically inserting a sectional hot top into a mold.

Another object is to provide such apparatus which enables a hot top tobe set in place or removed quickly and safely with little danger ofbreakage.

These and other objects will be more apparent after referring to thefollowing specification and attached drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation showing the apparatus of my inventioninstalling a sectional hot top within a mold;

FIGURE 2 is a view taken on the line II-II of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view, similar to FIGURE 2, but showing the hot topsupports in retracted position;

FIGURE 4 is a view taken on the line IVIV of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a view taken on the line VV of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a view taken on the line VT-VI of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is an elevation of the top part of the apparatus taken at rightangles to FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a detail;

FIGURE 9 is a view, similar to FIGURE 1, showing a second embodiment ofmy invention;

FIGURE 10 is a view taken on the line X--X of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a view, similar to FIGURE 10, but showing the hot topsupports in retracted position;

FIGURE 12 is a view taken on the line XII-XII of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 13 is a view taken on the line XIII-XIII of FIGUREv 10;

FIGURE 14 is a view taken on the line )GVXIV of FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 15 is an enlarged sectional view of a detail;

FIGURE 16 is an enlarged sectional view of another detail;

FIGURE 17 is an enlarged view taken on the line XVlI-JCVII of FIGURE 14;and r FIGURE 18 is a fragmentary plan view of the top of the apparatus.

Referring more particularly to FIGURES 1 to 8 of the drawings, thereference numeral 2 indicates a tube having a second tube 4 mountedtherein for axial movement. A plate 6 is welded to the bottom of tube 4and extends outwardly beyond the tube 2. Diametrically "ice ,7

opposed vertically slotted openings 8 are provided in the tube 2adjacent the lower end thereof. Similarly positioned vertically slottedopenings 1% of less length than openings 8 are provided in the tube 4.Diametrically opposed vertically slotted openings 12, similar toopenings 8, are provided in tube 2 above the openings 8 and are spacedfrom openings 3. Vertically slotted openings 14, similar to openings 10,are provided in tube a above openings 10 but at 90 therefrom. Hot topsupports 3.6 are associated with each of the lower sets of openings andhot top supports 18 are associated with each of the upper sets ofopenings. Since all of t e hot top supports are constructed in the samemanner, only one will be described in detail. Each of the supportsincludes a bracket 20 welded to the outer tube 2 and which is preferablymade of two plates, one on each side of the associated openings 8 or 12.A two-armed member 22 is pivotally mounted on the bracket 2 3 by meansof a pin 24. One arm 26 extends inwardly through the associated openings8 and lit or 12 and 14, and has a beveled edge 28 for a purpose whichwill appear later. The other arm 36 extends outwardly from tube 2 andhas a stop 32 welded to its upper surface. A rubber pad 34 is attachedto the upper surface of arm 39 and extends outwardly from the stop 32.An abutment 36 is welded to the inside of tube 4 just above each slot10. A similar abutment 38 is welded to the inside of tube 4 just aboveeach slot 14. A pair of opposed holders 4% are mounted on the tube 2above the supports 18 in the same vertical plane as supports 16. Each ofthe holders 4% consists of an inverted U-shaped member 42 welded to abar 44 having a washer 46 welded to its inner end. The lower end of theouter leg of the U-shaped member 42 is flared outward for a purpose tobe described later. The bars 44 and washers 46 are mounted in a tube 48extending diametrically of tube 2. A spring 50 surrounds the rod 4 withone end bearing against washer 46 and the other end bearing against aslidable washer 52. The holders 441 are assembled and the assemblysecured to the tube 2 in diametrically opposed vertical slots 54extending from the top of tube 2 down to the location of the holders 46.A second pair of holders 56 are mounted in the tube 2 at a higherelevation than holders 4% and directly above the supports 18. Each ofthe holders 56 includes a bar 58 bent downwardly at its outer end and abar 6% extending downwardly from and welded thereto inwardly of the endthereof so as to form an inverted U-shaped member. Spaced washers 62 and63 are welded to each of the bars 65 within a tube 54 located in thetube 2. Diametrically opposed vertically slotted openings 65 areprovided inthe tube 2 for receiving the bars 58. A cover plate 68 issecured to the top of tube 2, preferably by means of hexheaded bolts ormachine screws, not shown. A bail '79 extends downwardly through a slot71 provided in plate 68 and is welded to the top of inner tube 4. Aplate 72 is bolted to the top of plate 68 over the slot 71 so as toprovide openings for receiving the bail 79. A bail 73 is bolted to thetop of tube 2 for pivotal movement. A stud 74 attached to and extendingthrough bail 73 limits the pivotal movement thereof.

In assembling a hot top of the type disclosed in my co-pendingapplication Serial No. 847,599, the installing device or mast is placedon the ground resting on base platen as shown in FIGURE 2. In thisposition the outer tube 2 moves downwardly until its lower end rests onplate 6. This causes the supports It; and to move to their outward orexpanded position where they are ready to receive the slabs of the hottop. The bevel 28 of each arm 26 abuts the associated abutments .25 and38 to hold its outer arm 30 horizontal. The side slabs S are firstplaced on the upper supports 13 with their tops being restrained fromfalling outwardly or inwardly by the holders 56. The end slabs E arethen placed on the lower supports 16 with the ends of the side piecesfitted into grooves on the face of the end piece. The vertical portionof the outer leg of the inverted U-shaped member 42 is inside the planeof the outer face of the side piece, but the lower end of the flaredportion is outside it. The inverted U-shaped member is presseddownwardly outwardly with the spring 50 being compressed and theinverted U fitting over the top of the end slab. The end slabs E andside slabs S rest on the rubber pads 34 and bear against the respectiveside stops 32. 'With the side slabs S 6 inches higher than the end slabsE, the overall length is reduced by about inch and the side slabs areinside the sides of the end slabs so as to permit insertion of the hottop into mold M. The mast is then lifted by means of a crane hook placedunder bail 73 and is carried to the mold and the assembly is loweredinto the mold as shown in FIGURE 1. As the assembly is lowered the endslabs E will be supported by the mold top, but the mast continueits-downward between the corresponding plates 96 and 6 and the studsmovement until the weight of the mast is supported by the holders 56resting on the side slabs S. The weight of the mast then forces the sideslabs downwardly into 'wedging engagement with the end slabs E'so thatthe lower portions of the hot top pieces are forced outward into closecontact with the walls of the mold. The inner to rotate about theirpivot withthe rubber-mat 34 conta'cting the wall of the tube 2as'shownin FIGURE 3. The mast can then be removed upwardly-from the moldand hot top. In some instances the hot top is not used after it has beenplaced on the mold, and in that case it can be removed by the same mast.This is done by lowering the mast into the hot top by means of bail 73which is then rotated until it is stopped by stud 74, and transferringthe crane hook to the bail 78. When the mast is lifted by bail 78, thesupports16 and 18 are rotated to their outer position so that they areunder the end and side pieces. The U-shaped member 42 and the holder 56are then placed over the tops of the pieces and the hot 'top is removedby raising the assembly upwardly. V

In the embodlmentof'my invention shown in PEG- URES 9 to 18 referencenumeral 80 indicates a tube having a second tube 82 mounted therein foraxial movement. Plate 84 having an outside diameter approximatelythe'same as the outside diameter of tubersil'is secured to the bottom oftube 82 by means of machine screws (not shown). A pair of diametricallyopposed vertical slots 86 extend downwardly from the top oftube 82. Twodiametrically opposed studs 88 are attached to the tube 80 intermediateits ends and extend inwardly so as to be received in the slots 86 toprevent relative rotation between the tubes 80 and 82 and to limit theupward movement of tube 82 in tube 80 when'plate 84 is removed. Twoparallel vertical plates 90 extend ceiverthe bar 98 and the lower endsof plates 96. A

pair of.slots 102 are provided in the plates 99 and extend downwardlyand outwardly to diametrically opposed I- slot s 104 in the tube 82.Similar pairs of slots 106 (FIGURE '13) are provided in the plates 96and extend downwardly and outwardly to diametrically opposed I- slots188 in the tube 82. The tube 80has diametrically opposed horizontalslots 110 and 112 therein which are in alignment with the slots 184 and108, respectively. Supports 114 and 116 are received in'tlie slots 110and 126 are received in the corresponding slots 182 and 166. The totalheight of parts 118 and 128 is slightly less than the height of slots11% or 112 and the outer periphery thereof is arcuate and has a radiusthe same as that of the tube 80. The thickness of parts 118 and 120 isabout the same as the combined thickness of the walls of tubes 80 and82. A round bar 127 having a length slightly less than the insidediameter of tube 80 is provided in the openings 124 to provide lateralsupport. The tube 88 has diametrically "opposed vertical slots 128therein directly above slots 118. Holders 138 are received in the slots128. The holders 138 consist of a pair of tubular members 132 welded toa central U-shaped plate 134, round bars 136 having their inner endssecured to sleeves 138'and their 'outer ends bent at right angles at140. A spring 142 surrounds the bar 136 between sleeve 138 and a movablewasher 144. To keep the Ushaped plate -134vertical, the outer loweredges of'tubes 132 extend into slots 128; so that the tubes cannotrotate. Vertical slots 146 are provided in the top of tube 841 directlyabove openings 112. Holders 148 are provided in the slots 146. As bestshown in FIGURE 16 the holder assembly 148 includes a tube 158, tworound holder bars 152 having 'a' Washer 154 secured to the inner endthereof within the tube and a spring 156 surrounding the bar 152 betweenthe washer 154 and a movable washer 157. The outer end 158 of bar 152 isbent at right angles. A pin 160 is preferably provided through thecenter of tube 159 toprevent inward overtravel'of the bars 152. A plate162 is attached tothe top of tubeiltl by means of bolts passing throughlugs 164 welded to the inside of the tube. A slot 166 is providedin theplate 162 and a plate 168 is bolted to the top ofplate 162 over the topof slot 166. Openings 17llinto the tube 80 are provided at each end ofthe plate 168 and a ball 172 passes downwardly therethrough'and iswelded to the top of tube 82. A second bail 174 in generally the samevertical plane as bail 172 is bolted to the outside of tube 80 and'oneof the arms thereof is provided with a stop 176 to limit itsrotational'movement. Short bars or lugs 178 are welded to the undersideofthe plate 162 at opposite edges, the bars fitting into slots 128, fora purpose to be described later. g V v To assemble the mast theouter'tube 80 is placed over the inner tube 82 with the studs '88aligned with the slots 86. The inner tube is then lifted by bail172until the ends of the slots reach the studs 88. With the tube so heldthe open ends of the diagonal slots 102 and 106 are in alignment withthe slots 110 and 112 in the tube 88. The supports 114 and 116 are theninserted throughtheir associated slots with ,a bar 127 in the axialopening 124 of one of the tubes 122. The bar 127 is guided into the tubeor arm of'the opposite holder and both are pushed inwardly until thestuds 126 enter the corresponding, diagonal slots 1'82 and 106. The tube82 is then lowered until its base is level wlththe bottom of tube 80.The mast is then lifted by the bail 174 which causes the tube 82 to dropdownwardly and the support'lugs to be retracted until they are flushwith the tube 80.- The base plate 84 is then attached to 'the'tube 82.

In assembling a hot top of the type disclosed in my copendingapplication Serial No. 849,337, the installing de 136. The end pieces Eare then placed on the upper holders 116 with their tops held by thebentends of holders 148. The pre-assembled hot top is M; inches narrowerthan the mold opening in the long direction, and the distance betweenthe outside faces of the side pieces is less than the width of the endpieces, so that there is ample clearance for insertion into the mold.The mast is lowered until the end pieces E drop into a wedging fit.Further lowering wedges the side pieces S between the end pieces.Finally the weight of the mast is allowed to rest on the side pieces.The lugs 178 bearing on bars 152 insure that the weight of the mastbears entirely on the side pieces to force them downward to a tight fit.Relieved withdrawn through the hot top. Since the weight of the piecesof the hot top may not be sufficient to keep the lugs from retractingwhen the mast is lifted the crane hook is attached to the bail 172 inlifting the assembled hot top for installation so that the supporttreads will be automatically held extended. After installation of thehot top the crane hook is removed from the bail 172 (which bail isrotated back until stopped by stop 176) and placed under bail 174 towithdraw the mast. When it is necessary to remove an installed hot topfrom the mold the reverse practice is followed. The mast is picked up bythe bail 174, lowered into the hot top and the holders 130 and 148 areplaced over the hot top pieces, the crane hook is transferred to thebail 172 so that the supports 114 and 116 will be extended outward underthe hot top pieces when the mast is raised. The end pieces will be firstlifted 6 inches to loosen the fit after which the side pieces will bepicked up and the hot top withdrawn from the mold.

In practice, two masts are preferably used so that one hot top may beassembled on one mast while another hot top is being installed by theother.

While two embodiments of my invention have been shown and described, itwill be apparent that other adaptations and modifications may be madeWithout departing from the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A device for inserting 4-piece hot tops on a mold comprising a firsttube, a second tube mounted for axial movement within the lower end ofsaid first tube, a first pair of hot top supports arranged adjacent thebottom of said device on opposite sides thereof and supported by one ofsaid tubes, a second pair of hot top supports arranged in a plane abovethe first pair of supports in a vertical plane between the first pair ofsupports and supported by one of said tubes, means operable by relativemovement between the first and second tubes to move both of said pairsof supports between retracted and extended positions, a first pair ofhot top holders arranged aeove the first pair of supports in a planeabove the second pair of supports and supported by said first tube, anda second pair of hot top holders arranged above the second pair ofsupports in a plane above the first pair of holders and supported bysaid first tube.

2. A device for inserting 4-piece hot tops on a mold comprising a firsttube, a second tube mounted for axial movement within the lower end ofsaid first tube, means on said second tube limiting downward movement ofsaid first tube with respect thereto, a first pair of hot top supportsarranged adjacent the bottom of said device on opposite sides thereofand supported by one of said tubes, a second pair of hot top supportsarranged in a plane above the first pair of supports in a vertical planebetween the first pair of supports and supported by one of said tubes,each of said supports including a seat portion on which a hot top piecerests, means operable by relative movement between the first and secondtubes to move both of said pairs of supports between retracted andextended positions, a first pair of hot top holders arranged above thefirst pair of supports in a plane above the second pair of supports andsupported by said first tube, and a second pair of hot top holdersarranged above the second pair of supports in a plane above the firstpair of holders and supported by said first tube, each of said holdersincluding a downwardly extending portion adapted to bear against theouter side of a hot top piece.

3. A device according to claim 2 including a bail attached to said firsttube, and a bail attached to said second tube.

4. A device for inserting 4-piece hot tops on a mold comprising a firsttube, a second tube mounted for axial movement in the lower end of saidfirst tube, a first pair of hot top supports pivotally mounted on saidfirst tube adjacent the bottom thereof on opposite sides thereof, asecond pair of hot top supports pivotally mounted on said first tubeabove the first pair of supports in a vertical plane between the firstpair of supports, said second tube having slots therein adjacent each ofsaid supports, each of said supports including a seat portion of an armextending through said slot into said second tube, an abutment on saidsecond tube above each of said slots for engaging said arm to move theassociated support from its extended position to its retractedpositionupon movement of said first tube downwardly with respect to saidsecond tube and to limit downward movement of said seat portion, a firstpair of hot top holders arranged above the first pair of supports in aplane above the second pair of supports and supported by said firsttube, and a second pair of hot top holders arranged above the secondpair of supports in a plane above the first pair of holders andsupported by said first tube.

5. A device according to claim 4 including a bail attached to said firsttube, and a bail attached to said second tube.

6. A device for inserting 4-piece hot tops on a mold comprising a firsttube, a second tube mounted for. axial movement in the lower end of saidfirst tube, means on said second tube limiting downward movement ofsaidfirst tube with respect thereto, a first pair of hot top supportspivotally mounted on said first tube adjacent the bottom thereof onopposite sides thereof, a second pair of hot top supports pivotallymounted on said first tube above the first pair of supports in avertical plane between the first pair of supports, said second tubehaving slots therein adjacent each of said supports, each of saidsupports including a seat portion and an arm extending through said slotinto said second tube, an abutment on said second tube above each ofsaid slots for engaging said arm to move the associated support from itsex tended position to its retracted position upon movement of said firsttube downwardly with respect to said second tube and to limit downwardmovement of said seat portion, a first pair of hot top holders arrangedabove the first pair of supports in a plane above the second pair ofsupports and supported by said first tube, each of said last namedholders having an inverted U-shaped member at its outer end for engaginga piece of said hot top, and a second pair of hot top holders arrangedabove the second pair of supports in a plane above the first pair ofholders and supported by said first tube, each of said last namedholders having a downwardly extending member at its outer end.

7. A device according to claim 6 including a bail attached to said firsttube, and a bail attached to said second tube.

8. A device for inserting 4-piece hot tops on a mold comprising a firsttube, a second tube mounted for axial movement in the lower end of saidfirst tube, a first pair of hot top supports arranged adjacent thebottom of said device on opposite sides thereof and supported by one ofsaid tubes, a second pair of hot top supports arranged in a plane abovethe first pair of supports in a vertical plane between the first pair ofsupports and supported by one of said tubes, each of said supportsincluding a seat and a radial arm extending inwardly therefrom saidfirst tube having a slot therein for receiving s'aid s'eatfsaid secondtube having a'slot therein for 'receivings'aid'afm,

means operable by' relative movement between Ttheffi'rst second tube. a

10. A device for inserting 4-piece hot tops on arnold comprising a firsttube, a second tube'm'ounted for axial movement in the lower end of saidfirst tube, a first pair of hot top supports arranged adjacent thebottom of said device on opposite sides thereofi a second pair of nottop supports arranged in a plane above the'first pair of supports in avertical plane between the first pair of supports, each of saidsupports'including a seat and a radial arm extending inwardly therefrom,said first tubejhaving a slot therein for receiving said seat,said'secondjtube' shaving a slot therein for receiving said arm, 'a'p'airof parallel spacedvertical members'suppo'rte'd by said set:-

nd tube adjacent each of said supportsysaid, vertical members havingaligned slots therein extending "down wardly and outwardly to thecorrespondingslot'insaid second tube, means on each arm extending intothe aligned slots in the corresponding vertical member's, said'sec'fofndtube having opposed vertical slots in the top thereof, means on saidfirst tube extending into saidopposed vertical slots, said supportsmoving from an xteh ded'position to a retracted position when saidsecond tubemoves downwardly with respect to said first' tube, afir'stlpair of hot top holders arranged above the first pair of supports in aplane above the second pair of supports and supported by said'fi'rsttube, and a second pair of hot top holders arranged above the second'pair of supports in a'plan'e above the first pair of holders andsupported by said first tube.

11. A device according to claim including'a bail attached to said firsttube, and a bail attached to said second tube. r

12, A device for inserting 4:pi'ece hot tops 'on a mold comprising afirst tube, a second tube mounted'for axial movement in the lower end ofsaid first tube, means'o'n said seco nd tube limiting downward movementof said first tube with 're'spect' the ret o, alfir st pair'of hot topsupports arranged adjacentfthe bottom of said device on opposite sidesthereon a second pair or hot top supports arranged in a plane above thefirst pair of supports in a vertical plane between 'the first pair ofstipports, each of said supports including a seat anda' radial armextending inwardly it-he'refrom, "said first'tube having a are:

therein for receiving said seat, said second tube having a slot thereinfor receiving said arm, a pair of parallel spaced vertical memberssupported by said second tube adjacent each or said supports, saidvertical members having aligned slots therein: extending downwardly andoutwardly to the cor'responding -slot in 'said'second tube, means oneach arm extendinglinto the aligned slots in the corresponding'ver'ticalmembers, said second tube having opposed vertical slots in the topthereof, means on said first tube extending into said opposed verticalslots, said supports moving from an extended position to. a retractedposition when'said second tube moves downwardly with respect "to saidfirst tube, a first'pai'r of hot top holder-s afranged abovethefirsfpair of supports 'in'a' plane above thesecond pair of supports andsupported by said first tribe, anda second pair 'of liot'to'p holdersarrangedabove the secondpair of suppo'r'tsin a plane above the firstpair of holders and supported by said first tube, each of said holdersincluding a downwardly extending portion adapted to bear against theouter 'side of a hot toppiece.

13. A device according to claim 12 including a bail attached to saidfirst tube, and a bail attached to' said second tube.

References Cited in the fileJof this patent FOREIGN PATENTS V V ,7

Canada 'Aug. 26, 1958 OTHER REFERENCES 7 The Iron Age, publication,September 12, 1957, page 123 reliedupon.

